From the moment I was engaged to work with the organizers of the Noel en Noir holiday ball, I knew it would be something special. It’s the annual celebration of the conclusion of the wedding season for Ottawa’s wedding event professionals, and when I heard they were looking for a tarot reader for their masquerade ball, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.
The evening was truly a magical affair. It was hosted at Le Belvedere, a stunning location for an event. I’ll have to make the trek back out there in the daylight, but even on a cold November evening, I could sense the location was something special, nestled in the woods on a cliff just outside of Wakefield.
Inside, you could have probably heard me squee with delight when I realized they had set up an actual booth for me to do tarot readings in private, just like an old fashioned circus tent draped with flowing red fabric.
How fun is that? I spent the first hour of the event circulating amongst the guests as they enjoyed cocktails and canapés. I offered quick and playful one-card tarot readings to the guests. My favourite was for a couple seated at a table enjoying cocktails. He pulled the Ten of Cups, a card I call the “happy family” card. I told him his keyword to consider was Family. The couple exchanged a cryptic little look. Then she pulled The Sun, and I told her that her keyword was Joyous. The look they exchanged was a little more intense. He said, “Can I tell you something? We just got engaged!” I started to congratulate them, and he interrupted. “No, I mean we JUST got engaged. In the parking lot. A few minutes ago.” I became one huge goosebump when I realized I had just given the newly engaged couple the keywords “family” and “joyous”. I love the tarot and play with it almost every day, but it still has the capacity to surprise and delight me. Isn’t that wonderful?
When I went back to my tarot playhouse, I saw that the wait list for longer readings had already been completely filled and there was a queue of people forming. For the next three hours, I worked through the wait list while fitting in folks in between from the queue in between. They told me later that the line was constant and occasionally quite long as guests waited for their turn to have a tarot reading.
The folks I met were truly delightful – fun, curious, playful. But the speaker for the bar area where I was set up happened to be right over my tent, and for a few days after the event I was hoarse from shouting over it. Tip for event organizers: if you’re hiring a tarot reader, try to put them in a quiet space. Nothing says “intimate tarot reading” like having your reader literally shouting at you!
I knew I had reached the end of the evening when waiting queue for readings was suddenly comprised of the caterers, bartenders and other entertainers for the event! I got through everyone before my voice gave out, though.
(I don’t wear the witch hat to all my tarot reading events – I had borrowed a very cute masquerade mask for this event, but only realized when I arrived that if I wore it, I couldn’t also wear my glasses and wasn’t able to see the cards in the low light! At least I had a bit of a “costume” to wear.)
The organizers clearly enjoyed my tarot readings as much as I enjoyed the event. This is the review one of them left on my Google business page:
The Curious Crone captivated the guests at Noel En Noir with her mesmerizing tarot readings! Her booth was packed all night, and it was easy to see why. Her insights were thoughtful and engaging, creating a truly magical experience for everyone she spoke with. For a unique and unforgettable addition to your Ottawa wedding or event, look no further!
Noel en Noir was such a fun event from start to finish. I loved the mix of reading styles, from wandering the crowd during cocktails to giving longer readings in the coolest little tarot playhouse I’ve ever seen.
Thanks to Amy Godin Photography for the review, and for most of the images I shared above. You can see some terrific photos and the list of other contributors to the Noel en Noir magic on her blog.
It’s not lost on me that an event full of wedding professionals is a great way to get your name out there as a tarot professional who would love to do readings at wedding receptions and other events. If you’re planning a wedding or other event in the Ottawa area, and you would like a unique way to entertain and engage your guests, you can contact me at dani@curiouscrone.ca. I’d love to hear from you!